Arlington VA

Yesterday was day two of the Blue Ridge Parkway and it rolled out all sorts of experiences for me. I gave up on pictures ... I mean really there is only so many amazing mtn views that you can handle before they blend together - also it takes forever to stop, stip the gear off and get the camera out.  But let me try to describe a couple things.

The morning was clear and sunny with the sun beaming down between the trees to create a zebra stripped road in a green and orange tunnel of leaves.  And yes is was just miles and miles of that ... I'm ruined for any other motorcycle road. 

The next moment would have to be riding near the ridge of top of the mtn with the clouds rolling and boiling over the tree line and down the slope. It reminded me of that place of quiet behind the waterfall.

But of course I crossed over into the cloud/fog and the world turned first gray and then creepy. It's odd to look down and see the sun lighting the trees below you while you are in gray limbo.  The leaves changed from colored parade confettee to angry insects attacking my helmet.  I suppose I will always love fog, even when it is cold.

After the gray and cold returning to the sun was a welcome change.  In the way the Blue Ridge Parkway feels like a view on rails into the country side.  Because it just keeps going and going without really being connect with local roads you get this feeling of being seperate.

The city and traffic of today feel hectic after all the quiet of the parkway and camping, but I'm curious what this stay with Adam in Arlington will be like.

In general I haven't done much route planning for this trip, so when I left Nashville I just pointed my bike toward the Mtns figuring that I like Mtns and there should be something interesting there.  Firstly, I discovered that people plan entire vacations to visit the roads around the Smoky Mtns.  Secondly, there is this road called the Tail of the Dragon - 300+ curves in 11 miles.

Last night after watching a bunch of movies on that road I had worked myself up to the point where I couldn't sleep, or when I did fall asleep I would wake myself up again.  In the morning I had a nice chat with a guy named Rick who was from Oklahoma and was also going to brave the roads, so I figured I could do it also.

I think the number of motorcyles at the gap was the largest that I have ever been a part of ... it really gave the whole experience the feel of a theme park.  Unlike the sport bikes (they may ride that hill all day) I took the corners easy, hit the bottom and turned around to do it again from the other direction.  Also adding to the themepark feel was the photographers camped at a couple of the corners shooting all the bikes and then selling prints online (not a bad gig really).

 After the crush of all the traffic I excaped onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The parkway is epic!  The picture above is just one example of the many outlooks.  I stopped taking photos because I would still be up there otherwise.  But mostly I just focus on the corners and keeping my lines good, because ... well let's just say this isn't a good road to be distracted on.

Anna/Bri - I saw a very puffy cayote
Natalie - saw a very cool blue jay, and an enormous soaring bird with splayed wing tips
Megan/Joe - I miss walking down to the elysian
Lisa - I need some tea!  My shoulder is killing me.
Carl - video of what it looks like with the fall colors http://youtu.be/ys1GytM3KLc
Everyone - I'm missing you all today.

Nashville

Listening to bluegrass in Nashville ... Seems fitting. 

The transition from the deep solitude of riding the motorcycle to the neon of  tourest central is a little jarring to night. 

Sad to Go

Heading out tomorrow with the target of getting down to Nashville.  I signed up with the couchsurfers, but it might be too last minute to get that going.  I'm already looking forward to the roads in the Smoky Mtns.

I have been hanging out in this coffee shop in St. Louis almost every day and it already feels like a home.  If you are in town you should checkout The Mud House, in addition to the coffee the food is great.

Canyon to my left

Top of Slip Rd, Kaycee, WY

Reflecting on Yellowstone to Saint Louis

Steve and I did our duty and watched Old Faithful, which is still Faithful after the earthquake in the 80's.  The earthquake changed to geyser to more often be bigger blasts less frequently.  We also happened to catch the Bee Hive geyser we thought was more impressive (could be that we were right next to it).  The lodge was an unexpected pleasure.  I had some expectations I just about other timber construction that I have seen before, but the tall space created inside with almost a scaffolding feel to the stairs leading up to a roof-top observation platform was very cool.

The next morning split up with him traveling south to the Great Tetons and I choosing the east exist of the park.  The ride out was sunny, curvy and a view of the lake and post forest forest fire trees.  The trees were bleached into silver and black contrast without the thick second growth of pine trees we saw in other parts of the park.

I had a strong feeling of curiosity about where my path would lead now that I didn't have a set destination or timeline.  Wyoming kept drawing me back over and over again to the present with the rock formations, canyons and wonderfully fun roads.  While taking a little break and paring down my layers from the cold morning, I found a historical marker explaining that the local site had a artifact history dating back 10k years.  And after walking down to the stream to fill my water bottle (filtered of course) I could see why the choice made over and over again was always that this was a pretty nice spot.  It was one of those moments where you feel the historical import of the place seep into you.

By random process of GPS and iphone I ended up on gavel/dirt road that couldn't have been more fun.  The knobby tires on the bike got a chance to come out to play as I navigated the twists and switchbacks.  I need more practice riding on gravel/dirt - with a lighter bike. 

I pushed into the evening and went slow up and around Mt Rushmore with a full moon looking down on my terror of kamikaze-deer.  The rock felt different than anywhere else I had seen so far - more raw and hard.  Again the geology of the land became the conversation in my head (other than reminding myself that the deer are trying to kill me).

Coming down out of the Mtns the lights of Rapid City seem to span to the horizon, but I came realize later I was seeing lights for multiple towns and an air force base.  Rapid City was a nice relaxing place and I ended up spending a couple nights there.  Being on the road is forcing me to be a little more forward in starting conversations with people, which is good both for my own growth but also I love those experiences of connecting with people even for just a short moment.

I had been warned and thought that I was prepared, but after the high of Wyoming and the start of South Dakota the plains were rough.  My plan was to open myself up into the space around me, but the winds failed GPS wanderings made for a rough couple days.  Seemingly endless fields of dead sunflowers (all curled over the same direction) and dry brown corn do make the vibrant greens, yellows and oranges of the fall leaves pop into a semblance of frozen fireworks.

Last night brought me to Saint Louis to watch the presidential debate with Lisa and her sister's family.  I'm going to be here for a couple days so maybe I can get some pictures posted and do a little programming on the laptop.

Done for the day - Nebraska I don't think your giving me your best effort.